Local schools were treated to a visit by players and representatives of the Melbourne Renegades on Thursday.
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Current Renegades players Xavier Crone and Tayla Vlaeminck, both from Bendigo, visited St Mary’s School Echuca and Echuca East Primary on Thursday, sharing their love of cricket with students.
Crone made his first-class debut in a match against NSW in November 2021 in the Sheffield Shield.
The 26-year-old Crone made his T-20 debut for the Melbourne Stars against the Perth Scorchers in 2022 before linking up with the Renegades for the upcoming season.
Vlaeminck is a 25-year-old quick, and is one of the fastest bowls in women’s cricket, clocking in at speeds of more than 120km/h.
She made her international debut in 2018 in an ODI match against Pakistan, her T20I debut less than a month later against India, and also featured in Australia’s Test side, taking on England in the 2019 Ashes.
Students participated in a number of skills drills and activities along with the players, before getting their opportunity to ask questions of the two professional cricketers.
During the St Mary’s visit, the two answered questions on their journeys up to this point, their future goals, and some other more left-field subjects.
When asked about their secret talents outside of cricket, Vlaeminck considered herself a strong cook, particularly of Vietnamese cuisine.
Crone remarked that he wasn’t sure if he had any other secret talents, but that the sensor on automatic sinks was his secret weakness.
When quizzed on their goals for the upcoming season, Crone said he is taking things game by game, while Vlaeminck is hoping for selections for the upcoming T20 World Cup, held in October, with the side to be announced within the next few days.
The Renegades Roadshow is making stops across regional Victoria as part of Play Cricket week. This year, the theme is Cricket Anywhere, emphasising that cricket is a sport for everyone and can be played at any time, anywhere.
For more Aidan Briggs photos from both schools events, turn to page 37